Dear Mom, Dad, Ralph, and Dottie,
Well I've been in the navy for a whole week now, but our actual training started yesterday. Up to then we were just getting organized. We drilled for a couple of hours yesterday afternoon, and last night I went to the movies. We saw "Seven Miles From Alcatraz", also a news, cartoon and short. We have free movies every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday night in the regimental drill hall and I'll probably be going pretty often. Also on Sunday night we have a Happy Hour, which is something like an amateur hour. So you see, we are pretty well entertained. After our three weeks quarantine, we will be able to go swimming in our free time. We have the largest seimmin pool in the world here at Great Lakes.
We use a different time system here, and at first its pretty confusion. The time runs from 0000 to 2400. For example 0630 is 6:30 A.M. and 1700 is 5 P.M. In this way there is no chance of confusing A.M. or P.M. We haven't had any mess duty, but after were here about a month we'll get a solid week of it. each company gets a week of it, and after that they're through.
By the way mom, keep your eye on the local paper the next few weeks, as you'll probably see my name in it. We got a blank to fill out our name, address etc. and also the name of our local paper. These are being mailed out by the public relations department.
That about covers everything so I will close now.
Love to all,
Paul
Friday, March 30, 1973
Postmarked March 30, 1943
March 30, 1943
Dear friends:
I know that you will be glad to learn that I met your son, Paul who is stationed here at Great Lakes. He attended the Services which I as Jewish Chaplain, conducted. He appeared to be in fine health and in good spirits.
If there is any way in which I can be helpful to your son while he is here, please do not hesitate to call upon me.
With ever good wish, I remain
Yours sincerely,
Lt. Julius Mark, USNR
Chaplain
Dear friends:
I know that you will be glad to learn that I met your son, Paul who is stationed here at Great Lakes. He attended the Services which I as Jewish Chaplain, conducted. He appeared to be in fine health and in good spirits.
If there is any way in which I can be helpful to your son while he is here, please do not hesitate to call upon me.
With ever good wish, I remain
Yours sincerely,
Lt. Julius Mark, USNR
Chaplain
Thursday, March 29, 1973
Postmarked March 29, 1943
March 29, 1943
11:30 A.M.
Dear Mom, Dad, Ralph, Dottie, and Vickie,
I received your letter this morning and was very glad to here from you. I'm sorry Dad and Ralph missed me at the station, but the reason was that we marched right into the train as soon as we came up from the Seaman's Institute. I just finished washing up my clothes, and I have the rest of the day to myself. Tomorrow we really start to work, with calisthenics, drill, etc. This morning the chaplain told us we could not get home for Passover, as leaves for religious holidays are not granted in time of war.
After getting our uniforms, we sent all our civilian equipment home. I had to send the back home since they gave us a little ditty bag to keep toilet articles in.
The weather here has been swell for the last few days, not too hot and not too cold, just perfect for drilling outdoors. Yesterday afternoon we watched a rooster drill in the regimental drill hall. The rooster is the flag which is flown by the best company in the regiment, the finals between the two best companies are held Saturday afternoon.
We haven't gotten our haircuts yet, but we will soon. When we were getting our clothes, I complained that my hat was too small, and he told me that once I got my haircut, they would fit okay.
How are things at home? Are you getting much to eat? I read yesterday in a Chicago paper that they had riots in the butcher shops. there. Does Vicky behave herself. If she craps on the floor I will beat the stuffing out of her when I get back to Forest Hills. We are 40 miles from Chicago, but I won't be going there much, if at all.
Now that we are getting settled down, we have a little more time for recreation. We can bowl at the canteen and there are movies pretty often. We have a nice bunch of fellows in our company and our chief is really a swell guy. He never swears or raises his voice like some of them do, and we all get along him swell.
I'll have to close now as it's almost time to line up for chow.
Love to all,
Paul
11:30 A.M.
Dear Mom, Dad, Ralph, Dottie, and Vickie,
I received your letter this morning and was very glad to here from you. I'm sorry Dad and Ralph missed me at the station, but the reason was that we marched right into the train as soon as we came up from the Seaman's Institute. I just finished washing up my clothes, and I have the rest of the day to myself. Tomorrow we really start to work, with calisthenics, drill, etc. This morning the chaplain told us we could not get home for Passover, as leaves for religious holidays are not granted in time of war.
After getting our uniforms, we sent all our civilian equipment home. I had to send the back home since they gave us a little ditty bag to keep toilet articles in.
The weather here has been swell for the last few days, not too hot and not too cold, just perfect for drilling outdoors. Yesterday afternoon we watched a rooster drill in the regimental drill hall. The rooster is the flag which is flown by the best company in the regiment, the finals between the two best companies are held Saturday afternoon.
We haven't gotten our haircuts yet, but we will soon. When we were getting our clothes, I complained that my hat was too small, and he told me that once I got my haircut, they would fit okay.
How are things at home? Are you getting much to eat? I read yesterday in a Chicago paper that they had riots in the butcher shops. there. Does Vicky behave herself. If she craps on the floor I will beat the stuffing out of her when I get back to Forest Hills. We are 40 miles from Chicago, but I won't be going there much, if at all.
Now that we are getting settled down, we have a little more time for recreation. We can bowl at the canteen and there are movies pretty often. We have a nice bunch of fellows in our company and our chief is really a swell guy. He never swears or raises his voice like some of them do, and we all get along him swell.
I'll have to close now as it's almost time to line up for chow.
Love to all,
Paul
Wednesday, March 28, 1973
Postmarked March 28, 1943
March 28, 1943
11 A.M.
Dear Mom, Dad, Ralph, Dottie and Vickie,
Well, we just finished standing our first inspection. We steel-wooled the deck until it was clean enough to eat off of, then steel-wooled it some [more].The bunks had to be made up and the blankets folded, and the sea bags lashed to the jackstay with all Irish-pennants (loose rope ends) tucked in out of the way. If you can't understand some of this, it's because we have been learning the English language all over again. The barracks is not a barracks at all, it's a ship. The front is the bow, the back is the stern, the floor is the deck, the ceiling is the overhead, the windows are ports, the stairs are ladders and the closets and lockers. You don't go upstairs or downstairs, you go topside or below.
Tomorow is Sunday and we can sleep till 6 A.M. There are Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish services. Naturally, you go to your own services, but religion is a must in the Navy. As the chief said, "You've got to be saved whether you like it or not." After church, we are free for the est of the day. I have guard duty again tonight, from 8 P.M. to midnight. Our blues and whites are being fixed by the tailor, so we had to stand for inspection in dungarees.
Our company consists of about 130 men, 65 sleep on the lower deck, and 65, including me, on the upper. There are a few New Yorkers, but most of the boys are from Ohio, and the talk so funny you can hardly understand them.
My adress [sic] has been sightly changed, here it is:
Paul Kleinman A.S.
Co. 403
13th Batt'n, 12th Regt.
U.S. Naval Training Station
Great Lakes, Ill.
If you have aleady written to the old adress, don't worry. It will be delivered, but there might be some delay.
They have just started a new system for selecting men for ratings. In addition to the standard aptitude tests, each man is interviewed and, on the basis of previous experience and natural ability, he is sent to the school he is best fitted for. After graduating, he receives and petty officer rating.
How is everybody at home? I'm in the best of health and in swell spirits. We have to stand in line for chow, but it's worth waiting for. For breakfast this morning we had grapefruit, oatmeal, baked beans, bread, and coffee. Not fancy, but filling just the same.
Have to close now, we're going out to chow.
Love to all,
Paul
11 A.M.
Dear Mom, Dad, Ralph, Dottie and Vickie,
Well, we just finished standing our first inspection. We steel-wooled the deck until it was clean enough to eat off of, then steel-wooled it some [more].The bunks had to be made up and the blankets folded, and the sea bags lashed to the jackstay with all Irish-pennants (loose rope ends) tucked in out of the way. If you can't understand some of this, it's because we have been learning the English language all over again. The barracks is not a barracks at all, it's a ship. The front is the bow, the back is the stern, the floor is the deck, the ceiling is the overhead, the windows are ports, the stairs are ladders and the closets and lockers. You don't go upstairs or downstairs, you go topside or below.
Tomorow is Sunday and we can sleep till 6 A.M. There are Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish services. Naturally, you go to your own services, but religion is a must in the Navy. As the chief said, "You've got to be saved whether you like it or not." After church, we are free for the est of the day. I have guard duty again tonight, from 8 P.M. to midnight. Our blues and whites are being fixed by the tailor, so we had to stand for inspection in dungarees.
Our company consists of about 130 men, 65 sleep on the lower deck, and 65, including me, on the upper. There are a few New Yorkers, but most of the boys are from Ohio, and the talk so funny you can hardly understand them.
My adress [sic] has been sightly changed, here it is:
Paul Kleinman A.S.
Co. 403
13th Batt'n, 12th Regt.
U.S. Naval Training Station
Great Lakes, Ill.
If you have aleady written to the old adress, don't worry. It will be delivered, but there might be some delay.
They have just started a new system for selecting men for ratings. In addition to the standard aptitude tests, each man is interviewed and, on the basis of previous experience and natural ability, he is sent to the school he is best fitted for. After graduating, he receives and petty officer rating.
How is everybody at home? I'm in the best of health and in swell spirits. We have to stand in line for chow, but it's worth waiting for. For breakfast this morning we had grapefruit, oatmeal, baked beans, bread, and coffee. Not fancy, but filling just the same.
Have to close now, we're going out to chow.
Love to all,
Paul
Tuesday, March 27, 1973
Postmarked March 26, 1943 - later
March 26, 1943
7:30 A.M.
Dear Mom, Dad, Ralph, Dottie, and Vickie,
How is everybody at home? How does Ralph like taking Vickie out in the morning? I had guard duty last night from 4 to 7 A.M., and have just returned from chow. We are moving today to our permanent barracks, but my mailing adress [sic] is still Paul Kleinman, A.S., Co. 403, U.S. Naval Training Station, Great Lakes, Ill. We got our uniforms yesterday after passing the medical examination. There are about 130 in the company, and we sleep in double deck bunks. Don't worry if you do not here [sic] from me regularly. I will write as as often as I can, but the mail service here is not as good as it could be. We are getting out first shots today and under no circumstances can we see any visitors for 21 days after.
The weather here is about the same as New York. It is pretty changable [sic], cold one day, hot the next.
They have a pretty good system for issuing clothes. They paint the sizes on your chest and you walk by the counter, have your bag filled, and then have your name stenciled on everything. I haven't had a chance to wash the numbers off, so my chest looks like a grocery bill with all the numbers written on it.
How did those pictures we took come out? I would appreciate it if you will send me some of them.
Love to all,
Paul
7:30 A.M.
Dear Mom, Dad, Ralph, Dottie, and Vickie,
How is everybody at home? How does Ralph like taking Vickie out in the morning? I had guard duty last night from 4 to 7 A.M., and have just returned from chow. We are moving today to our permanent barracks, but my mailing adress [sic] is still Paul Kleinman, A.S., Co. 403, U.S. Naval Training Station, Great Lakes, Ill. We got our uniforms yesterday after passing the medical examination. There are about 130 in the company, and we sleep in double deck bunks. Don't worry if you do not here [sic] from me regularly. I will write as as often as I can, but the mail service here is not as good as it could be. We are getting out first shots today and under no circumstances can we see any visitors for 21 days after.
The weather here is about the same as New York. It is pretty changable [sic], cold one day, hot the next.
They have a pretty good system for issuing clothes. They paint the sizes on your chest and you walk by the counter, have your bag filled, and then have your name stenciled on everything. I haven't had a chance to wash the numbers off, so my chest looks like a grocery bill with all the numbers written on it.
How did those pictures we took come out? I would appreciate it if you will send me some of them.
Love to all,
Paul
Monday, March 26, 1973
Postmarked March 26, 1943
My Dear Sir:
I am happy to inform you that your son has reported to this Station for his prescribed recruit training, and to assure you that the Unite States Navy gladly accepts the responsibility for his welfare and security.
When a man enlists in the Navy, he is sent to one of the training stations for training in the fundamentals of Navy life. This training is known as recruit training, and the men while undergoing this training are known as recruits. The primary purpose of this training is to properly season the men both mentally and physically for their duties aboard ship.
The first three weeks of this training period is known as detention. During detention period, the recruits are not allowed to receive visitors. The reason for this is twofold; first, to safeguard the health of the recruit by preventing the spread of any contagious disease to which he may have been exposed prior to his entry into the Navy; second, to give the recruit an opportunity to overcome nostalgia. It takes three weeks, on the average, to accomplish this. Many years of experience has taught us that this detention period is absolutely necessary for the health and welfare of the man concerned.
Upon the completion of the detention period, the recruits are permitted to receive visitors on Saturday afternoon from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., and on Sunday afternoon from 1:00 p.m. to 6 p.m. Each recruit is instructed to write home and inform his family as to the date he completes his detention.
In order to insure visitors reasonable comfort and service, it is necessary that visiting to the Station be controlled. Prior to visiting the Station, it is therefore necessary that you request a Visitors Pass from the Station Receptionist. This request must be mailed ten (10) days prior to your intended visit. Visitors passes are granted in the order in which the requests are received. Your request should conform in general to the following form:
"Dear Madam:
It is requested that I be issued a Visitors Pass to visit my (son, husband, ward, as the case may be) on (date). His name is ______________________ and his company number is ___________________.
(Signed) Mrs. Mary Doe
1431 South 10th Street
Moline, Illinois"
The above request should be addressed as follows:
Senior Receptionist
Building #42,
U.S. Naval Training Station,
Great Lakes, Illinois
Upon receipt of the above request, the Receptionist will mail you a Visitor Pass. This pass will entitle you and all members of your party to visit the with recruit requested. All visitors to the Station must enter the Main Gate.
The above restrictions are made solely for the protection of visitors. You are urgently requested to comply strictly with the above regulations, as otherwise you will be refused admittance to the Station.
The total period of training varies from time to time to meet the demands of the Service. It may vary anywhere from six to twelve weeks. During the training period, the recruits are not granted liberty. One of the hardships at sea is that under war conditions liberty is of necessity very restricted. Liberty, like anything else is a matter of habit. A civilian forms the habit of daily liberty. It is necessary that he break himself of this habit prior to going on board ship: otherwise, he will suffer unnecessary hardship when he is faced with long periods of shipboard confinement.
Upon completion of recruit training, each recruit is granted a leave prior to being sent to Service School or to his ship. This leave is five days plus additional days for travel; the average [duration] of the leave is nine days.
During the training period, the Navy endeavors to produce a future leader of men, a man of whom his community, his family, and the Service will be proud. The physical mental, and moral welfare of the recruit is assured; religious counsel and opportunities for public worship being ever present. Men of the Service are under the constant supervision of the Chaplains' Corps which conducts Services on the Station.
Cheerful letters from home are of real benefit to the recruit and are the best means of encouraging him to correspond frequently. Although the recruit is instructed to write home often, he sometimes fails to do so. This should not be a cause for alarm however, for you will be notified immediately in case of his serious illness. Letters addressed to him [at] U.S. Naval Training Station, Great Lakes, Illinois, Company Number 403 will be delivered promptly while he is in training. You should instruct him to keep you informed of changes in his address so that his incoming mail will not be delayed. In the event of serious emergency, your son should be notified by telegraph, as incoming telephone lines are reserved for official use. If a return call is requested, public telephones are available for his use; other than the prescribed procedure, because they digress from established routine, will result in unnecessary delay.
You are urged not to bring small children with you when you come to visit. The transportation difficulties and the crowded conditions at the reception center are not conducive to the health and comfort of youngsters.
Inquiries regarding recruits should be addressed to the Recruit Training Officer, United States Naval Training Stations, Great Lakes, Illinois
Sincerely yours,
(signed)
R.R.M EMMET,
Captain, U.S. Navy,
Commanding
I am happy to inform you that your son has reported to this Station for his prescribed recruit training, and to assure you that the Unite States Navy gladly accepts the responsibility for his welfare and security.
When a man enlists in the Navy, he is sent to one of the training stations for training in the fundamentals of Navy life. This training is known as recruit training, and the men while undergoing this training are known as recruits. The primary purpose of this training is to properly season the men both mentally and physically for their duties aboard ship.
The first three weeks of this training period is known as detention. During detention period, the recruits are not allowed to receive visitors. The reason for this is twofold; first, to safeguard the health of the recruit by preventing the spread of any contagious disease to which he may have been exposed prior to his entry into the Navy; second, to give the recruit an opportunity to overcome nostalgia. It takes three weeks, on the average, to accomplish this. Many years of experience has taught us that this detention period is absolutely necessary for the health and welfare of the man concerned.
Upon the completion of the detention period, the recruits are permitted to receive visitors on Saturday afternoon from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., and on Sunday afternoon from 1:00 p.m. to 6 p.m. Each recruit is instructed to write home and inform his family as to the date he completes his detention.
In order to insure visitors reasonable comfort and service, it is necessary that visiting to the Station be controlled. Prior to visiting the Station, it is therefore necessary that you request a Visitors Pass from the Station Receptionist. This request must be mailed ten (10) days prior to your intended visit. Visitors passes are granted in the order in which the requests are received. Your request should conform in general to the following form:
"Dear Madam:
It is requested that I be issued a Visitors Pass to visit my (son, husband, ward, as the case may be) on (date). His name is ______________________ and his company number is ___________________.
(Signed) Mrs. Mary Doe
1431 South 10th Street
Moline, Illinois"
The above request should be addressed as follows:
Senior Receptionist
Building #42,
U.S. Naval Training Station,
Great Lakes, Illinois
Upon receipt of the above request, the Receptionist will mail you a Visitor Pass. This pass will entitle you and all members of your party to visit the with recruit requested. All visitors to the Station must enter the Main Gate.
The above restrictions are made solely for the protection of visitors. You are urgently requested to comply strictly with the above regulations, as otherwise you will be refused admittance to the Station.
The total period of training varies from time to time to meet the demands of the Service. It may vary anywhere from six to twelve weeks. During the training period, the recruits are not granted liberty. One of the hardships at sea is that under war conditions liberty is of necessity very restricted. Liberty, like anything else is a matter of habit. A civilian forms the habit of daily liberty. It is necessary that he break himself of this habit prior to going on board ship: otherwise, he will suffer unnecessary hardship when he is faced with long periods of shipboard confinement.
Upon completion of recruit training, each recruit is granted a leave prior to being sent to Service School or to his ship. This leave is five days plus additional days for travel; the average [duration] of the leave is nine days.
During the training period, the Navy endeavors to produce a future leader of men, a man of whom his community, his family, and the Service will be proud. The physical mental, and moral welfare of the recruit is assured; religious counsel and opportunities for public worship being ever present. Men of the Service are under the constant supervision of the Chaplains' Corps which conducts Services on the Station.
Cheerful letters from home are of real benefit to the recruit and are the best means of encouraging him to correspond frequently. Although the recruit is instructed to write home often, he sometimes fails to do so. This should not be a cause for alarm however, for you will be notified immediately in case of his serious illness. Letters addressed to him [at] U.S. Naval Training Station, Great Lakes, Illinois, Company Number 403 will be delivered promptly while he is in training. You should instruct him to keep you informed of changes in his address so that his incoming mail will not be delayed. In the event of serious emergency, your son should be notified by telegraph, as incoming telephone lines are reserved for official use. If a return call is requested, public telephones are available for his use; other than the prescribed procedure, because they digress from established routine, will result in unnecessary delay.
You are urged not to bring small children with you when you come to visit. The transportation difficulties and the crowded conditions at the reception center are not conducive to the health and comfort of youngsters.
Inquiries regarding recruits should be addressed to the Recruit Training Officer, United States Naval Training Stations, Great Lakes, Illinois
Sincerely yours,
(signed)
R.R.M EMMET,
Captain, U.S. Navy,
Commanding
Sunday, March 25, 1973
Postmarked March 25, 1943
March 25, 1943
7 A.M.
Dear Folks,
I am writing from the Naval Training Station at Great Lakes, Illinois. My mailing adress is:
Paul Kleinman A.S
Co. 403
U.S. Naval Training Station
Great Lakes, Ill.
We left Penn Station at 7 P.M. Tuesday, an arrived hear at 8 last night. When we got here we were issued a matress, 2 blankets, and a pillow. We have spring bunks and they are as comfortable as my bed at home. We hit the deck at 5 A.M. and spend until 6 cleaning up our barracks. Each man has his own job. My job is, with 5 others, to steel wool the after deck, (the back half of the floor). That isn't as hard as it sounds because all I have to do is shove a piece of steel wool back and forth with my foot. At 6 we fall in for chow, which I have just finished. Today we have a seven hour physical examination after which we will get the rest of our clothes. I guess that covers things to date, so I will close with best regards to everybody.
Love,
Paul
7 A.M.
Dear Folks,
I am writing from the Naval Training Station at Great Lakes, Illinois. My mailing adress is:
Paul Kleinman A.S
Co. 403
U.S. Naval Training Station
Great Lakes, Ill.
We left Penn Station at 7 P.M. Tuesday, an arrived hear at 8 last night. When we got here we were issued a matress, 2 blankets, and a pillow. We have spring bunks and they are as comfortable as my bed at home. We hit the deck at 5 A.M. and spend until 6 cleaning up our barracks. Each man has his own job. My job is, with 5 others, to steel wool the after deck, (the back half of the floor). That isn't as hard as it sounds because all I have to do is shove a piece of steel wool back and forth with my foot. At 6 we fall in for chow, which I have just finished. Today we have a seven hour physical examination after which we will get the rest of our clothes. I guess that covers things to date, so I will close with best regards to everybody.
Love,
Paul
Friday, March 23, 1973
Postmarked March 23, 1943
Dear Mom, Dad, Ralph, and Dottie,
I am writing from the Seaman's Institute where I just had lunch. We will be here till about 4:30, when we will ship out for parts unknown. Naturally, I don't know yet what my permanent address will be, but I will write as soon as I get a permanent adress [sic]. I still don't know where I'm going, but we'll probably sleep on the train tonight. I am now in the recreation room where they have pool tables and bowling alleys, so, maybe after I finish this letter I'll bowl a few frames. There isn't much more to tell, so I will close now.
Love to all,
Paul
I am writing from the Seaman's Institute where I just had lunch. We will be here till about 4:30, when we will ship out for parts unknown. Naturally, I don't know yet what my permanent address will be, but I will write as soon as I get a permanent adress [sic]. I still don't know where I'm going, but we'll probably sleep on the train tonight. I am now in the recreation room where they have pool tables and bowling alleys, so, maybe after I finish this letter I'll bowl a few frames. There isn't much more to tell, so I will close now.
Love to all,
Paul
